Four Years Ago
You did that all for your little sibs?
Swear you'll turn over a new leaf, and I'll pretend this never happened.
Keep gambling to a hobby, okay?
In response to an increase in heinous crimes,
a new movement is picking up steam in police and security forces around the world.
This is the story of the services performed by ACTIVE in Japan.
File 5: Poker Face of Erasure
Oh? Logos?
Some say their existence is just an Internet rumor.
Every Day Is a Good Day
Let's cut to the chase.
We believe the criminal organization known as Logos exists.
And why would the star of public safety share that with us?
And under the table, at that.
I saw in a report that several incidents you handled
may have involved Logos. That's why.
I thought I should inform you, just in case.
I thought our opinions were prone to be ignored.
It's true that some don't approve of an experimental department voicing opinions.
Now, now...
So, Hayashida-san,
what's Logos after? Money, as usual?
We don't know yet.
This is only a hunch,
but it could be just to stir up mischief.
Mischief, eh?
Are the bigwigs done yet?
Uh, who're you?
So you're Kuroki-kun?
I'll take my leave now.
Every Day Is a Good Day
If you're done talking work, we need you two back there.
Everyone's waiting.
Yes, yes.
Kikyou
Sorry we're late!
We've been waiting.
How did the work talk go?
Oh, it went, I guess.
How may I help you?
I'd like another of this pomegranate cocktail said to be good for female hormones!
Hormones?
She honestly needs more?
I'll also have more hormo—
I mean, pomegranate juice.
Also, a pitcher of beer.
Okay, cheers!
You're moving way too fast.
Kikyou
So you're really paying this time, Kuroki-kun? What brought this on?
It's apparently to celebrate his casino win.
Casino?
The one in Special District Numazu.
I wish you guys could've seen my valiant self!
Well, that's impressive.
All hail the passing of the casino bill!
Actually, there was a gambler who made headlines a few years ago, wasn't there?
Bloody Mary?
She was called the Empress of Illegal Casinos, wasn't she?
I stopped hearing about her after the bill was passed, though.
So she was never caught?
That's how it came to pass that I joined this division.
Huh?
K-Kuroki...
You're acting proud, but what was your total windfall, anyway?
About 200,000 in the red, I guess.
Huh?
Pomegranate cocktail, pomegranate juice, and a pitcher of beer.
Oh, where are Kyoukai-san and Madoka-san?
I invited them, but Kyoukai-san's working late.
Madoka just ignored me.
Ignored?
Metropolitan Government Building Exit, Nihon-Oodoori Station, Yokohama
Target disembarked from the Minatomirai Line at Nihon-Oodoori Station at 19:27h,
then took the Metropolitan Government Building exit.
Target appears headed toward the harbor.
Why am I doing this?
Madoka-chan doesn't ignore people.
Maybe she just answered you really quietly?
Then I wonder if it's just like what the Ogikubo guys said.
What's this about?
Madoka-chan can be a little mysterious,
so the Ogikubo Branch was saying
that she might be a spy from Logos
or some other type of government agency.
Of course it's just a joke, though.
We're an odd bunch,
so Madoka could be a spy with Internal Affairs.
A s-spy with Internal Affairs?
All right, let's look into this.
I suppose we have no choice.
Asami-chan...
We're counting on you.
Huh?
19:50h. Target is walking in Yamashita Park.
No irregular behavior observed.
Game Center
20:35h.
Target is playing a UFO catcher game at the arcade
near Chinatown's east gate in Naka Ward, Yokohama City.
Target acquires a stuffed animal of a presumably minor character.
21:22h.
Target enters Nyan Ma La, a Chinese restaurant in the area.
Extra Spicy Chinese Restaurant Nyan Ma La
"Extra Spicy"?
Deducing entry into the restaurant to be dangerous.
Standing by outside.
Liver-leek stir-fry.
Coming right up.
That's odd...
It's already been over two hours since she went in.
Welcome.
Um, I'm meeting someone here.
She's gone?
That's impossible.
What?
To prevent miniaturized missiles from being fired...
Play in a casino poker match?
Yes. According to Tokyo Prefecture, that's the perp's demand.
The specifics are rather strange.
There's a math instructor named Onodera Ryou at Kichijouji's Touzai Cram School.
We're to play and win against him.
Anyone can play him at once, no matter how many.
But why us?
There must be others who are good at poker.
You know about the explosion in Yamashita-chou last night?
Oh, you mean...
Yeah.
Five poker experts have already been defeated.
So they're saying to do whatever it takes to win, even cheating?
Don't get the wrong idea.
It's not that you're fraudsters.
You just have more leeway in equipment and the division...
Okay!
That'll be the official line.
And that's the deal.
Even if it's Inagi-san asking,
why not just cut right to it, and destroy all missiles within the prefecture?
That would be difficult.
Huh?
The missiles have a shield-machine function.
They're typically buried underground.
They aren't particularly strong,
but it's near impossible to find them before launch.
I see. Then I'll do it!
I can do poker!
Yeah, denied.
Huh?
Where's Madoka-chan, by the way?
She's off duty...
Oh, did you know Asami-chan actually tailed her?
Huh?
But you said to do it.
It was just a joke at a drinking party.
What?!
I went all the way to Yokohama!
We can review that incident at a later time.
I'll play the poker game.
You, Funasaka-san?
Is this a joke?
I'm sorry I kept this from you for so long.
I may not look it,
but in my younger days, I nearly destroyed myself with drink, women, and gambling.
Huh...
Uh, but still...
If you almost destroyed yourself, doesn't that mean you're bad at it?
Hmm...
Okay. I'll let Funasaka-san handle this.
Leek-liver stir-fry.
Onodera-san, was it?
Oh, y-yes.
Nice to meet you.
N-Nice to meet you, as well.
So, who's the one
who keeps sending players to me?
As I suspected, this man doesn't seem to know anything.
How may I help you?
Vodka martini.
Shaken, not stirred.
Certainly, sir.
Sh-She's got the whole act down.
It just might turn out to be a square match.
Check.
O-Okay. 200.
Call.
Um, I have no idea what the rules are.
Kyoukai-kun...
On it.
I sent the rule data over.
Th-Thank you.
O-Okay, 500.
Having two queens is giving him confidence.
Call.
1,000.
At the least, he has a two pair, sevens and queens.
He could have a full house, but...
Call.
Showdown, please.
T-Two pair, queens and sevens.
Three of a kind.
I win.
All right!
Extra Spicy Chinese Restaurant Nyan Ma La
Hello, miss.
Here again?
Want to join us?
We won't lose today. It's time for payback.
These days, not too many people
understand the true nature of gambling like you.
Who would've thought that
legalizing gambling would change so many things?
Yeah, all those special arenas and Internet streams...
Even the guy who used to hunt us enjoys safe, legal gambling now.
Hunt you?
Yeah, although he was a loser who failed in his investigation.
He lost again.
Guess he only won the first round.
What's wrong?
Guess we won't be seeing her card-handling today.
Yeah, her skills remind me of those of that legendary female gambler.
She was only active for a year,
wore a china dress, and hid her face.
She must've only been a teen back then.
I wonder what Bloody Mary's up to these days.
Straight.
Th-This man's good at his game.
He was hesitant at first,
but he gradually grew expressionless.
He might as well be wearing a death mask now.
I can't discern what he's thinking at all!
Express Suruga Hyper Kodama
The 20:07 train bound for Special District Numazu, Suruga Island...
Onodera's out for the kill.
Is Funasaka-san okay?
Haruka-chan, commence Operation Manchaku No. 6!
Hello!
Would you like anything to drink?
No, thank you.
We have the data.
Heart rate, breath rate, and perspiration levels are all elevated.
They're above normal values.
He's lying.
Funasaka-san, he's bluffing.
Call.
All in.
Showdown, please.
Three of a kind.
Straight.
Huh?
Wh-What the...
Impossible.
I'm getting alternating normal and abnormal readings!
Could he be...
Your tricks are a waste of time.
I can fool a polygraph with ease.
I... I lost.
This won't do.
I need you to try a little longer.
If you don't, another missile will go flying.
How did he know about the missiles?
Wait, so he's...
You're the one who came up with this death game?!
What choice did I have?
It's the casino's fault for blacklisting me out of fear due to my skills.
But how did you get the missiles?!
I got them from people who call themselves "Logos."
Logos!
He didn't even bother hiding the name.
There should be a couple more missiles.
Logos is supposed to decide when to launch them.
But if I lose, the missiles won't be launched.
So let's try a little longer.
You can try any trick you have up your sleeve.
Then, for starters, we'll swap out players!
Sure. I don't mind.
Oh, and there's someone here who wants to speak with you.
Switch on. File number fox trot.
Well, well...
Wh-Who's that?
Onodera's mother.
I'm surprised you managed a connection with her.
It's fake.
Fortunately, even her audio data was available on social networking sites.
Listen to me, Ryou.
Please stop causing trouble!
I don't remember raising you to be this way.
Remember when you were little?
How I'd—
Sorry.
My mom was a drunken loser with a wandering eye.
She's the one who drilled me in poker, too.
By her command, I honed my skills to earn our keep.
Full house.
I lost in an instant?
I'm prepared to get caught.
If I have to live another dull day, I'd rather have one last match.
That'd be enough for me.
I've had enough.
Pull yourself together! You're just getting started!
It's no use! We're in trouble!
If I lose, a missile will be launched.
Being 200,000 in the red is my personal responsibility,
but missile damage?!
This is a rare case of accurate self-introspection, but...
Now isn't the time to be impressed by that!
What now?
No one can win against a guy like him.
Oh? That's all?
Are you sure? A city's going to go up in flames.
I wonder what Logos will target.
I can't wait to find out.
Let's see how far the police can track Logos...
Hmm?
This is boring, YO. Let's fire the missile! lol
Dog...
Like I said, our goal isn't to hurt people.
What's the missile targ— Huh?
What? Aren't you off duty?
I'll play him.
What?!
You know how to play poker?
Oh, the livecast...
Wait just a moment. I'll try this circuit...
Oh, look. It's the girl.
Straight.
That's a win, right?
Madoka-chan won?
But that's just one round.
Flush.
Full house.
Four of a kind.
Straight flush.
She's his equal...
And both are equally impassive.
It's like two dead people playing against each other.
Not good. She lacks her usual flair.
Is she too distracted by the audience?
Full house.
Two pair.
Flush.
Crap! She's falling behind!
Asami-chan, access the dealer robot's controls.
We'll control the cards that are dealt.
I can't.
That robot has an anti-fraud function,
AKA a conscience circuit.
Any external tampering, and it'll freeze.
Damn Community Safety Division... No one asked for that!
Time out.
Very well.
Only fifteen minutes, though.
Madoka-kun?
Sena-kun, ready the Wear.
Understood.
What's the projected missile target?
Fifteen minutes.
I guess I win.
No, you lose.
M-Madoka-kun...
You... You're...
Bloody Mary.
You know you're about to lose your place in society?
Madoka-san's...
...the legendary...
...gambler?!
I had no idea Bloody Mary was so young.
You have my respect.
That is, if you're really her.
Straight.
Flush.
Another draw?
No, we're moving toward a conclusion.
Yeah. This is a big game.
Verifying
Approved
I hope our predictions are correct with regard to the missile launch site.
This is it. This hand will decide it.
Could it be a straight flush?
No, the possibility of that is low.
Maybe a flush?
If it's just a straight, I win, but...
Why are they just staring at each other?
Maybe I'll heat things up.
Dog!
Thermal signature detected...
Crap, the missile's been launched!
What's the launch point?
Candidate two, Azabu Juuban.
Haneda Airport Azabu Juuban
It's flying southwest.
Oscar I.
I'll give it a shot.
Twenty-five seconds until impact!
No, it won't be in time!
Request deactivation of sublimation function.
Permission granted!
I see it now...
Your poker face has a slight flaw.
When you bluff, your eyes twitch ever so slightly.
That's right, this is a bluff.
All in!
Call.
Showdown, please.
Full house.
I win.
Type 21 charged-particle launcher, fire!
You don't deserve to gamble.
You're just a corpse that drowned in gambling,
a drifter in the darkness.
The true pleasure of gambling
is to leave it and return to the light of day.
Say what you will, loser.
Straight...
flush.
I win.
Also, this...
was deliberate.
I... lost?
The end of one game
is the beginning of another.
Let's meet again.
Um, would you like anything to drink, Madoka-san?
Pomegranate hoppy.
Oh, for female hormones? Okay.
What would you like to eat?
Liver-leek stir-fry... Oh.
Liver-leek stir-fry!
We don't have anything like that.
Pretty please?
Um, Funasaka-san, I...
Hmm?
I really didn't recognize you until then...
Um...
What are you talking about?
You rushed over while off-duty to help your teammates.
What's so bad about that?
A little cosplay won't get you arrested.
But if I were to say anything...
Yes?
Moderation is key with any hobby.
For your younger siblings' sakes, as well.
Right!
Next Episode Preview
Ohakonyapachininko!
File 6: Dreams Beyond the Twilight
I'm predicting the next episode!
H-Hey...
A middle-aged man on a date with a nineteen-year-old?
Will this December love end in tragedy?
Next time, "Dreams Beyond the Twilight."
Be sure to watch!